Auto-release vacuum device

ABSTRACT

A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/430,712, filedMay 9, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional applicationSer. No. 60/698,031, filed Jul. 11, 2005. The disclosures of the aboveapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to material handling systemsand, more particularly, to vacuum devices for vacuum cup assemblies ofmaterial handling systems that are engaged with the objects andsubstantially sealed thereto via operation of a vacuum source orpneumatic device connected to the vacuum devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a material handling system that includes vacuumcups or the like that are adapted to be moved into engagement with anobject, such as a substantially flat object or panel or the like, and tolift and move the object to a desired location. Such vacuum cups orsuction cups may be moved into engagement with the object, and a vacuumsource may be actuated to create a vacuum between the object and the cupsuch that the object is retained to the cup as it is transported to thetargeted area. An example of such a vacuum cup is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,662,668, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The vacuum generated at the cup may be provided by a venturi nozzle,whereby pressurized air is supplied or provided to a venturi nozzle atthe cup and the air forced through the venturi nozzle creates a vacuumat the cup to seal the cup to the object surface. The venturi nozzle hasan inlet port connected to the air supply and an exit port through whichthe air is blown. The internal cavity defined by the vacuum cup andobject is in fluid communication with the venturi nozzle so that air isdrawn out of the cavity as the air is blown through the venturi nozzle.When the air supply is deactivated, the vacuum within the cup cavity maydissipate through the port that connects the vacuum cup cavity to theventuri nozzle and through the exit port. Thus, there may be a delaybetween when the air supply is deactivated and when the vacuumdissipates a sufficient amount to readily release the vacuum cup fromthe object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an automatic release vacuum device orventuri device, such as for a vacuum cup assembly of a material handlingsystem that is operable to move one or more vacuum cups into engagementwith an object and to pick up and move the object to a targeted ordesired location. The material handling system may move the vacuum cupinto engagement with the object, and may create a vacuum or partialvacuum at a cup cavity, such as via a vacuum source or an air supply orother pneumatic device or the like, to substantially seal the vacuum cupto the object. The vacuum device includes a venting element at a ventingport to substantially vent the vacuum or partial vacuum at the vacuumcup to atmosphere when the vacuum source or pneumatic device isdeactivated.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an automatic releasevacuum device or venturi device for a material handling system includesa vacuum device body and a movable sealing element. The vacuum devicebody is adapted to connect to a pressurized air supply, and includes avacuum passageway and a vacuum generating device, such as a venturinozzle or device at or in fluid communication with the vacuumpassageway. The pressurized air supply is activatable to supplypressurized air at the vacuum generating device to generate at least apartial vacuum in the vacuum passageway. The movable sealing element ismovable between a sealing position, where the movable sealing elementsubstantially seals the vacuum passageway, and a venting position, wherethe movable sealing element substantially vents the vacuum passageway.The vacuum device is configured to divert a portion of the pressurizedair to the movable sealing element to urge the movable sealing elementtoward the sealing position when the pressurized air supply isactivated. The movable sealing element is urged toward the ventingposition when the pressurized air supply is deactivated to substantiallyvent the vacuum passageway to atmosphere when the pressurized air supplyis deactivated.

The vacuum device body includes a diverting passageway that diverts theportion of the pressurized air to a substantially enclosed cavity at themovable sealing element to urge the movable sealing element toward thesealing position. The automatic release vacuum device includes a biasingelement that functions to urge the movable sealing element toward theventing position. The diverting passageway diverts the portion of thepressurized air to the movable sealing element to at least partiallyovercome a biasing force of the biasing element to urge the movablesealing element toward the sealing position when the pressurized airsupply is activated.

In one form, the movable sealing element may comprise a flexiblemembrane element that flexes to engage and disengage a venting port ofthe vacuum device. In another form, the movable sealing element maycomprise a piston element that moves along a passageway of the vacuumdevice body between the sealing and venting positions.

The automatic release vacuum device is suitable for and may beconfigured for use with a vacuum cup assembly of the material handlingsystem, with a vacuum cup of the assembly being configured to engage anobject and being movable to move the object when engaged therewith. Thevacuum cup is configured to substantially seal against the object whenthe movable sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuumgenerating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuumpassageway.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vacuum cupassembly of a material handling system, with the vacuum cup assemblybeing engagable with an object and movable to move the object, includesa vacuum device, a vacuum cup and a noise reducing device. The vacuumdevice is adapted to connect to a pressurized air supply and has avacuum passageway and a venturi nozzle positioned within the vacuumdevice. The vacuum cup is attached to the vacuum device and isconfigured to engage an object. The pressurized air supply isactivatable to force pressurized air through the venturi nozzle togenerate the at least partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway and at thevacuum cup when the vacuum cup is engaged with an object. Thepressurized air flows through the venturi nozzle and draws air from thevacuum passageway and into the venturi nozzle via at least one vacuumport of the venturi nozzle. The noise reducing device is located at adischarge of the venturi nozzle and comprises a housing defining achamber with a conical-shaped diverter element. The housing has aplurality of radially spaced exit openings, whereby air discharged atthe venturi nozzle is diverted by the conical-shaped diverter elementand flows out through the exit openings of the housing. The vacuum cupis configured to substantially seal against the object when the venturidevice generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

The housing of the noise reducing device may include an outer end and asidewall that cooperate to define the chamber. The conical-shapeddiverter element protrudes from the outer end and toward the venturinozzle. The sidewall may function to attach the noise reducing device tothe vacuum device. The housing of the noise reducing device includes acurved transition region between the conical-shaped diverter element andthe outer end. The housing includes a curved transition region betweenthe outer end and the sidewall. The exit openings are formed through thesidewall and generally at the outer end of the housing.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a vacuum cupassembly for a material handling system includes a vacuum cup, a vacuumdevice and a sealing device or element. The vacuum cup assembly isengagable with an object and movable to move the object. The vacuum cuphas a perimeter seal for engaging and substantially sealing at an objectsurface. The vacuum device is attached to the vacuum cup and isconfigured to draw air out of a cavity defined by the perimeter seal andthe object surface when the vacuum cup is engaged with the objectsurface. The vacuum device comprises a unitary body and houses a venturinozzle and defines a vacuum passageway that is in fluid communicationwith a vacuum port of the venturi nozzle. An inlet of the venturi nozzleis connectable to a pressurized air supply, which is activatable toforce air through the venturi nozzle to generate at least a partialvacuum in the vacuum passageway. The vacuum passageway extends throughthe body and between the vacuum cup and a venting passageway or port ofthe body. The body defines a diverting passageway that diverts air fromthe inlet of the venturi nozzle to the sealing element. The divertingpassageway diverts air to the sealing element to urge the sealingelement toward engagement with the venting port or otherwise toward asealing position that substantially seals or closes the venting port orpassageway. The sealing element is thus movable to substantially closeor seal the vacuum passageway when the pressurized air supply isactivated and when air flows through the diverting port to the sealingelement. The sealing element is movable to disengage from or open theventing port or passageway to substantially vent the vacuum passagewayto atmosphere when the vacuum source is deactivated.

Therefore, the present invention provides an automatic release vacuumdevice or venturi device, such as for a vacuum cup assembly of amaterial handling system that moves the vacuum cup assembly intoengagement with an object. A vacuum or partial vacuum generated by thevacuum device may be readily applied to the vacuum cup of the vacuum cupassembly to substantially seal the vacuum cup to the object. When thevacuum source or pressurized air supply or other pneumatic device isreduced or deactivated, the vacuum or partial vacuum within the vacuumcup is readily and rapidly vented to atmosphere via a sealing/ventingelement of the vacuum device. The sealing/venting element functions tosubstantially seal or close the vacuum passageway when the vacuum sourceis activated, and is readily and automatically disengaged or moved toopen or vent the vacuum passageway when the vacuum source isdeactivated. The sealing/venting element (such as a membrane or pistonor the like) of the vacuum device may be engaged against the vacuumdevice body or other sealing element in response to the vacuum generatedwithin the vacuum device body and in response to pressurized airprovided at the sealing/venting element, such that the pressuredifferential at the sealing/venting element causes the sealing/ventingelement to substantially seal or close the vacuum passageway. When thevacuum is deactivated, the sealing/venting element may be disengagedfrom the venting port or other sealing element or may otherwise open orvent the vacuum passageway, such as in response to a biasing element orspring, as the vacuum is at least partially reduced and/or as thepressurized air from the diverting passageway is reduced or eliminated.The vacuum at the vacuum cup assembly thus may be automatically andreadily vented to atmosphere to release the vacuum cup from the objectat the desired or targeted destination or location. The vacuumpassageway, diverting passageway and sealing/venting element arepositioned or formed within the body of the vacuum device so as toprovide an integral vacuum device or auto-release venturi device for thevacuum cup assembly.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a vacuum cup assembly with a vacuum devicein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a vacuum device in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the vacuum device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of another vacuum device inaccordance with the present invention, with a piston that is movable toseal or vent the vacuum passageway;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the vacuum device of FIG. 4, shown withthe piston in a sealing orientation;

FIG. 6 is another sectional view of the vacuum device of FIG. 4, shownwith the piston in a venting orientation;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a venturi silencer useful with a venturivacuum device;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of the venturi silencer of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the venturi silencer of FIGS. 7 and 8; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the venturi silencer taken along the lineX-X in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, a vacuum cup assembly 10 includes a vacuum cup 12 and anintegral automatic release vacuum assembly or venturi assembly or vacuumdevice 14 operable to create a vacuum or partial vacuum within thevacuum cup 12 when the vacuum cup is engaged with a surface of an object16 (FIG. 1). The vacuum cup assembly 10 is mountable to a supportassembly of a material handling system, which is operable to move thesupport and vacuum cup assembly (or multiple vacuum cup assemblies orsuction cups) into engagement with an object, where the vacuum cup mayengage and seal to the object for picking up and moving the object. Thematerial handling system includes a vacuum source or pressurized airsupply or pneumatic device for providing or creating a vacuum or partialvacuum at the vacuum cup assembly 10 to substantially vacuum seal thevacuum cup 12 to the object 16. The vacuum device 14 includes a sealingand venting device or assembly or element 18 that is openable toatmosphere in response to deactivation of the vacuum source or airsupply or pneumatic device to substantially vent the vacuum from thevacuum cup when the vacuum source or air supply or pneumatic device isdeactivated, as discussed below. In the illustrated embodiment, thevacuum source comprises a venturi device or nozzle that is connected toor in fluid communication with a pressurized air supply, such that whenthe pressurized air supply is activated, pressurized air flows throughthe venturi device to generate a vacuum in the vacuum device and vacuumcup, as also discussed below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, vacuum device 14 includes a vacuum devicebody or body portion 20 that is preferably unitarily formed and thatincludes or defines vacuum and venting passageways and ports asdescribed below. For example, the body 20 may be cast or molded orotherwise formed of a metallic material, such as aluminum or the like,or a polymeric material, such as engineering plastic or the like, andmay have the passageways bored or drilled through the unitary body todefine and connect the appropriate passageways, as discussed below. Thevacuum device 14 may be connected to a support arm (not shown) or thelike of the material handling device, and may be connected to any typeof support arm, without affecting the scope of the present invention.The vacuum cup assembly and material handling system of the presentinvention may utilize aspects described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/034,046, filed Jan. 12, 2005 by Attee et al. for VACUUM CUP;and/or Ser. No. 10/931,637, filed Sep. 1, 2004 by Kniss for ADJUSTABLEMOUNT FOR VACUUM CUP, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

As shown in FIG. 3, body 20 includes or defines a vacuum generatingpassageway 22 therethrough. Vacuum generating passageway 22 defines anoutlet or exit port 23 and an inlet or entry port 24 at opposite ends ofthe passageway 22 and body 20. A vacuum generating device 28 ispositioned at or in or partially in vacuum generating passageway 22 andis connectable to a vacuum source or air supply tube or pipe 29 (FIG. 1)at inlet port 24. In the illustrated embodiment, vacuum generatingdevice 28 comprises a venturi nozzle that is positioned along passageway22 with an outlet end 28 a at outlet port 23 and an inlet or entry end28 b at or near inlet port 24. A vacuum passageway 26 connects to and isin fluid communication with vacuum generating passageway 22 and vacuumcup 12 at one end and sealing and venting device 18 at the other end, asdiscussed below. Vacuum passageway 26 terminates at a vacuum cupconnection port 27 for connecting body 20 to vacuum cup 12.

Venturi nozzle 28 includes a nozzle body or body portion 32 and apassageway 34 extending longitudinally along the nozzle body 32. Thenozzle body 32 includes at least one vacuum port 36 to provide fluidcommunication through nozzle body 32 to passageway 34. When venturinozzle 28 is positioned within passageway 22 of body 20, vacuum port orports 36 is/are positioned generally at and in fluid communication withvacuum passageway 26 of body 20. As is known in the vacuum cup andventuri nozzle art, the passageway 34 of venturi nozzle 28 comprises anarrowing and widening passageway to increase the air flow rate throughthe venturi nozzle 28 when the air supply or source is activated,whereby air flow through the venturi nozzle 28 draws air through vacuumports 36 and from vacuum passageway 26 to create a vacuum or partialvacuum in the vacuum passageway 26 when the vacuum passageway is notvented, as discussed below. A silencing element or diffusing element 30and retaining ring 31 may be positioned at outlet end 28 a of nozzle 28.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, vacuum passageway 26 ofbody 20 extends upwardly or outwardly from passageway 22 and venturinozzle 28, with sealing and venting device 18 positioned at an outer endof passageway 26 and at an upper end or outer or venting portion 40 ofbody 20. Sealing and venting device 18 functions to selectivelysubstantially close and seal vacuum passageway 26 when the air supply isactivated and to open or vent vacuum passageway 26 to release or ventthe vacuum within the vacuum cup when the vacuum source or air supply isdeactivated, as discussed in detail below. As can be seen with referenceto FIGS. 2 and 3, venting portion 40 of body 20 includes a recessed orventing surface 42 within an outer raised ring or cylindrical extensionor ring or wall 44 that substantially surrounds venting surface 42. Theouter ring 44 includes a stepped or intermediate surface 46 that iswithin outer ring 44 and spaced from venting surface 42. An inner raisedring or cylindrical extension or venting port 48 extends or protrudesoutwardly from venting surface 42 and defines an outer end of the vacuumpassageway 26.

Body 20 of vacuum device 14 also includes or defines a diverting port orpassageway 50 that connects and provides fluid communication between theinlet port 24 of the nozzle passageway 22 to an upper or outer surfaceor end 44 a of the outer ring 44 at venting portion 40 of body 20. Body20 also includes or defines a venting passageway or port 52 that is opento atmosphere at one end 52 a and that is open at its other end 52 b atventing surface 42 of venting portion 40 of body 20. The sealing andventing device or assembly 18 functions to selectively connect orprovide fluid communication between venting port 52 and vacuumpassageway 26 to vent the vacuum cup to atmosphere when the vacuumsource or air supply is deactivated, as discussed below.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, sealing and venting device 18 includes afirst sealing element 54, such as a sealing cap or diaphragm, and anouter cap or cover 56. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3,the sealing element 54 comprises a flexible membrane element ordiaphragm. However, the sealing element may comprise other movable meansfor engaging another sealing element to seal the passageway when thepressurized air supply is activated and to disengage from the othersealing element to vent the passageway when the pressurized air supplyis deactivated, such as a movable piston sealing element, as discussedbelow with respect to FIGS. 4-6, or other movable element whileremaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.Diaphragm 54 comprises a generally flat disc or flexible or movablesealing element or diaphragm element 54 a and a generally cylindricalwall 54 b surrounding diaphragm element 54 a and extending upwardlytherefrom when diaphragm 54 is positioned at venting portion 40 of body20 as shown in FIG. 3. Diaphragm element 54 a is a thin flexiblemembrane that may flex toward and away from the venting port or innerextension or second sealing element 48 during operation of the vacuumcup assembly, as discussed below. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS.2 and 3, cylindrical wall 54 b of diaphragm 54 is attached to orpositioned at the lip or step or ledge 46 of outer wall or ring 44 ofbody 20.

Cover 56 comprises a generally flat disc portion 56 a and a generallycylindrical wall portion 56 b surrounding disc portion 56 a andextending downwardly therefrom when cover 56 is positioned at ventingportion 40 of body 20 as shown in FIG. 3. Disc portion 56 a of cover 56may include a recessed portion or recess 56 c at its inner surface. Inthe illustrated embodiment, wall portion 56 b of cover 56 is attached toor positioned at and around the outer wall or ring 44 to substantiallyencase the outer end of the outer wall or ring 44 and diaphragm 54within the cover 56 and between cover 56 and body 20. Cover 56 may besecured to diaphragm 54 so that the diaphragm and cover assembly aremounted to body 20 together, or cover 56 and diaphragm 54 may compriseseparate components that are mounted separately to the respectiveportions of body 20, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 3, disc portion 56 a of cover 56 may rest on or engagethe outer ends of cylindrical wall 54 b of diaphragm 54, whilecylindrical wall 56 b of cover overlaps or encompasses or receives outercylindrical wall or extension 44 of upper or outer body portion 40. Whencover 56 is positioned over diaphragm 54, the recess 56 c provides apassageway for fluid communication or air flow between the divertingpassageway 50 at the outer end 44 a of the outer cylindrical extension44 and the area between the cap or cover 56 and the diaphragm element 54a. When the movable sealing element or diaphragm element 54 a isdisengaged from the second sealing element or venting port 48, vacuumpassageway 26 is vented to atmosphere via venting passageway 52 to ventthe vacuum cup 12 to atmosphere to release the vacuum cup from theobject, as discussed below.

Sealing and venting device 18 further includes a biasing element ormember or spring 58, which is positioned generally around venting port48 of body portion 40 and between venting surface 42 and diaphragmelement 54 a. Biasing element 58 functions to bias or urge the first ormovable sealing element or diaphragm element 54 a away from engagementwith second sealing element or venting port 48, such that air may flowbetween vacuum passageway 26 and venting passageway 52 when diaphragmelement 54 a is disengaged from venting port 48, as discussed below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, vacuum cup 12 of vacuum cup assembly 10 isattached to vacuum cup connection port 27 of body 20 and is, in theillustrated embodiment, positioned generally opposite from sealing andventing device 18 and venting portion 40. Vacuum cup 12 includes a bodyportion 60 and a perimeter seal portion 62. Vacuum cup 12 includes anopening for receiving vacuum cup connection port 27 of body 20. Whenvacuum cup 12 receives vacuum port 27, vacuum passageway 26 providesfluid communication between venturi nozzle 28 and a cavity 64 defined bythe body portion 60 and perimeter seal 62 of vacuum cup 12 and thesurface of the object 16 that is engaged with an engaging end 62 a ofthe perimeter seal 62. Vacuum cup 12 may be integrally or unitarilymolded from an elastomeric material or may be otherwise formed ormolded, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Althoughshown as a vacuum cup having a bellows style or accordion styleperimeter seal, it is envisioned that the vacuum cup may have other sealportions (such as a tapered perimeter seal portion or the like, and/orsuch as a seal portion of the types described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/034,046, filed Jan. 12, 2005 by Attee et al. for VACUUM CUP,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference), and/or other types ofvacuum cups may be implemented with the material handling device,without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Vacuum cup 12 may be attached to or adhered to or molded to or fastenedto or otherwise secured to vacuum port 27 of body 20 of vacuum device14. In the illustrated embodiment, vacuum port 27 is received in orpositioned at or at least partially through the opening at the bodyportion 60 of vacuum cup 12. Vacuum passageway 26 allows air to flowfrom cavity 64 and through vacuum passageway 26 to draw air out ofcavity 64 to create a vacuum or partial vacuum within cavity 64 when theair supply is activated.

During operation of vacuum cup assembly 10, pressurized air is suppliedat inlet port 24 (such as via a hose or tube 29 or the like) and flowsthrough venturi nozzle 28 and out exit port 23 of body 20. As the airflows through venturi nozzle 28, air is drawn through vacuum ports 36from vacuum passageway 26 and into passageway 34 of nozzle 28 and outthe exit port 23. When the pressurized air flows through the venturinozzle 28, a portion of the pressurized air that enters the nozzle atinlet port 24 is diverted through diverting passageway 50 and intorecess or cavity 56 c between cover 56 and first sealing element ordiaphragm 54 to pressurize the cover and diaphragm assembly, and therebyfunctions to exert a downward pressure against movable or flexiblediaphragm element 54 a to urge the diaphragm element 54 a downward andagainst the urging of biasing element 58 and into sealing engagementwith second sealing element or venting port 48 of venting portion 40 tosubstantially seal diaphragm element 54 a against venting port 48. Also,as the air is drawn from vacuum passageway 26 by the venturi nozzle, thediaphragm element 54 a or first sealing element is pulled downwardagainst biasing element 58 and toward engagement with the outer end ofsecond sealing element or venting port 48 to substantially seal or closevacuum passageway 26. The diverting passageway 50 and cover 56 thusprovide pressurized air above diaphragm 54 or at the opposite side ofdiaphragm 54 from the vacuum passageway 26, in order to assist in movingor urging diaphragm element 54 a to a sealing position and againstventing port 48 at venting portion 40 of body 20 when the vacuum sourceor air supply is activated. Because pressurized air is provided above oroutside of diaphragm 54 while a partial vacuum is provided below or atthe inner side of diaphragm 54, the increased pressure differential atthe diaphragm element causes the diaphragm element 54 a to flex intoengagement with the venting port to substantially close or seal thevacuum passageway at the venting port. Also, as air is drawn throughvacuum port 36 of nozzle 28 from vacuum passageway 26, a vacuum orpartial vacuum is created within the cavity 64 defined by the vacuum cup12 and the object surface to which the vacuum cup is engaged.

When the air supply or vacuum source is substantially reduced ordeactivated, pressurized air is no longer forced or blown to and throughthe venturi nozzle and thus does not flow through diverting passageway50 to urge diaphragm element 54 a downward or toward the second sealingelement. The vacuum or partial vacuum within vacuum passageways 26 andcavity 64 thus may dissipate via venting through ports 36 and exit port28 a of venturi nozzle 28. When the diverted pressurized air is nolonger present at the first sealing element, the biasing element ormember or spring may urge the first sealing element away from the secondsealing element and to a venting position so that the vacuum passagewayis vented to atmosphere. Thus, when the pressurized air supply isdeactivated or reduced, biasing element 58 urges diaphragm element 54 aoutward and away from venting port 48 so that vacuum passageway 26 isvented to atmosphere via air flow through venting passageway 52 andaround the venting port 48 and into vacuum passageway 26. The vacuumpassageway 26 is formed within body at a sufficient diameter to provideclearance around the venturi nozzle 28 so that the vacuum within cavity64 of vacuum cup 12 is quickly vented to atmosphere via air flow throughthe venting passageway 52 and vacuum passageway 26. The vacuum orpartial vacuum within the vacuum cup thus is quickly released or ventedafter the vacuum source or air supply is deactivated, and does not havethe delay in venting that typically occur as the vacuum or partialvacuum slowly dissipates through the ports of the venturi nozzle ofknown vacuum cups. The vacuum cup assembly of the present invention thusmay be readily removed from the object when the air supply isdeactivated.

Although shown and described as being a movable or flexible diaphragmelement, the first or movable sealing element of the vacuum cup assemblymay comprise other sealing means or devices or members or elements,without affecting the scope of the present invention. For example, andwith reference to FIGS. 4-6, a sealing and venting device or assembly orelement 118 of a vacuum device 114 of a vacuum cup assembly 110 maycomprise a first sealing element or movable sealing element 154, such asa piston element, that is movable along a venting passageway or upper orouter passageway portion 126 a at or in fluid communication with thevacuum passageway 126 of the body 120 of vacuum device 114 of the vacuumcup assembly 110 to selectively seal and vent the vacuum device andvacuum cup assembly. For example, piston element 154 may engage a secondsealing element or portion or seal or ring 155 (such as an elastomericor rubber sealing ring or the like) positioned at the passageway portion126 a and at or outward from an upper end of the vacuum passageway 126,in order to substantially seal the passageway 126 a so that vacuum isgenerated in the passageway 126 by the venturi device 128. The pistonelement 154 may move along the passageway portion 126 a to engage thesealing ring 155 to substantially seal or close the vacuum passageway(as shown in FIG. 5) when the pressurized air supply is activated togenerate the vacuum, and may move away from the sealing ring 155 to ventthe vacuum passageway to atmosphere (as shown in FIG. 6) when thepressurized air supply is deactivated or reduced.

The rigid or substantially rigid and movable piston element may providea robust sealing element and may substantially seal the vacuumpassageway when engaged with the sealing ring. The vacuum device 114 andvacuum cup assembly 110 may be otherwise substantially similar to thevacuum device 14 and vacuum cup assembly 10 discussed above, such that adetailed discussion of the vacuum devices and vacuum cup assemblies willnot be repeated herein. The similar or common components or elements ofthe vacuum devices and vacuum cup assemblies are shown in FIGS. 4-6(except the vacuum cup is not shown in FIGS. 4-6) with the samereference numbers as used in FIGS. 1-3, but with 100 added to each ofthe reference numbers.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4-6, piston element 154 comprisesa generally cylindrically shaped element that is movable along agenerally cylindrical-shaped passageway portion 126 a at or near vacuumpassageway 126 (although other cross sectional shapes may be implementedwithout affecting the scope of the present invention). A lower orengaging end 154 a of piston element 154 may be rounded or curved so asto be partially received in and substantially uniformly engage sealingring 155 when piston element 154 is urged against the sealing ring 155(as shown in FIG. 5) when the air supply is activated to generate thevacuum or partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway. More particularly,when the air supply is activated (such as a pressurized air supply orpneumatic device 129 that supplies pressurized air to the vacuum device,such as via an air hose or line 129 a), the diverting passageway 150(formed through the body 120 between an inlet port 124 and an upper orouter end of the venting passageway or passageway portion 126 a) divertssome of the pressurized input air to the upper or outer area or cavity126 b (FIG. 5) of passageway portion 126 a (between an outer end 154 bof piston element 154 and a cap or cover 156 of vacuum cup assembly 110)and thus at the upper or outer end 154 b of piston element 154 (and atthe opposite side of the piston element from the sealing ring andventing port). The diverted portion of the pressurized input air thusprovides a downward pressure against the piston element to assist inurging the piston element toward engagement with sealing ring 155. Thus,when moved to a sealing position, the piston element 154 maysubstantially seal against the sealing ring 155 to substantially sealand separate or isolate the vacuum passageway from atmosphere. The capor cover 156 is secured to body 120, and preferably substantially sealedto the body 120, at the outer end of venting passageway 126 a, such asvia a sealing element 157, such as an O-ring or the like.

Piston element 154 also desirably includes a sliding seal or ring 166circumferentially around the piston element to seal the piston elementwithin the passageway portion 126 a and to enhance sliding or movementof the piston element 154 along the passageway portion. As can be seenin FIGS. 4-6, sliding seal 166 is received in a groove 154 c formedcircumferentially around piston element 154 and between the curvedsealing surface 154 a and the outer end 154 b of piston element 154.Sliding seal 166 limits air leakage past piston element 154 withinpassageway 126 a, while allowing substantially unrestricted and smoothmovement of piston element within the passageway.

Vacuum cup assembly 110 includes a biasing element or urging element orspring 158 that functions to bias or urge piston element 154 outward andaway from sealing ring 155 and toward a venting position. In theillustrated embodiment, biasing element or spring 158 is partiallyreceived within a passageway or recess 154 d formed longitudinallypartially along piston element 154 and protrudes therefrom to engage theventuri nozzle body 128 c or to engage a stop element or plate portion(not shown) at or near the lower or inner end of the passageway portion126 a and/or upper or outer end of the vacuum passageway 126. Similar tothe vacuum cup assembly 10 described above, the biasing force of thebiasing element or spring 158 of vacuum cup assembly 110 may be overcome(and the spring or biasing element thus may be compressed) by the forceexerted by the diverted portion of the pressurized inlet air at theupper or outer end 154 b of piston element 154, and/or by the forceexerted by the vacuum or partial vacuum generated within the vacuumpassageway.

When the vacuum source or pressurized air supply is reduced ordeactivated (and the diverted air is reduced or eliminated so that it nolonger exerts sufficient pressure or force at the outer end 154 b ofpiston element 154 to overcome the spring force or biasing force), thebiasing force may overcome the vacuum pressure within the vacuumpassageway and may move the piston element outward to disengage thepiston element from the sealing ring. When the piston element is movedaway from the sealing ring so that the curved engaging surface 154 a isremote or spaced from sealing ring 155, the vacuum passageway is vented(and thus the vacuum or partial vacuum within the vacuum passageway andvacuum cup is vented and thus dissipated).

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the body 120 may include passageways orchannels or apertures or ports 168 that provide fluid communication orair flow between passageway 126 a and the air or atmosphere surroundingthe vacuum cup assembly. The passageways 168 are located above oroutward from the sealing ring 155, and at the opposite side of sealingring from the venturi device, such that air does not flow through thepassageways 168 to vent the vacuum passageway 126 a when piston element154 is substantially sealed against sealing ring 155. Thus, when thepiston element 154 is moved away from or disengaged from sealing ring155, the vacuum passageway is readily vented to atmosphere, such as viaair flow through and along channels or grooves or passageways 168 formedor established along the piston passageway portion 126 a and outside ofor above the sealing ring 155. The piston element 154 and sealing ring155 thus function to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when theair supply is activated so that the venturi device may generate a vacuumor partial vacuum within the vacuum passageway (when the vacuum cup isengaged with an object), and the piston element may move away from thesealing ring to vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply isdeactivated or reduced (to assist in releasing the vacuum cup from theobject).

Although shown and described as having a movable sealing element, suchas a piston element or a diaphragm element, that engages a secondsealing element, such as a sealing ring or a venting port, that islocated remote from the venturi nozzle along the vacuum and ventingpassageways, it is envisioned that the movable sealing element may belocated elsewhere in or at the vacuum device or body where the sealingdevice selective seals and vents the vacuum passageway in response tothe pressurized air supply being activated and deactivated. For example,the movable sealing element may be movably or flexibly located at orgenerally around the vacuum port 136 of the venturi device 128. Thesecond sealing device thus may comprise the venturi nozzle body itselfand/or the portion of the body at or adjacent to the venturi nozzlebody, and the movable sealing element may seal against the venturidevice and/or body portion to seal the venting passageway when thepressurized air supply is activated, and may disengage from the venturidevice to vent the vacuum passageway when the pressurized air supply isdeactivated. Optionally, the movable sealing element, such as a pistonelement, may include a flexible or compressible or conformable seal(such as an elastomeric or rubber seal) at an engaging surface, and thepiston element may move to engage the flexible seal with a sealingsurface along the passageway, such as at an end of the vacuum passagewayor at the venturi nozzle or elsewhere within the vacuum device, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. Other configurations of amovable sealing element and the diverted air supply and biasing element(preferably all of which are within or integral with the body of thevacuum device) may be implemented while remaining within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

The movable sealing element thus functions to selectively seal and ventthe vacuum passageway of the body. The venting port or ports may belocated anywhere along the venting passageway so as to be exposed or influid communication with the vacuum passageway when the sealing elementis in the venting position. It is envisioned that, if the movablesealing element is not substantially sealed against the walls of theventing passageway as it moves therealong (such as if a movable pistonelement includes longitudinal passageways along its outercircumferential region), the venting port may be located further alongthe venting passageway, and may be located at the cap or cover, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. Thus, the venting port orports may be located at various locations, as long as the ventingpassageway and venting ports are selectively sealed or isolated from thevacuum passageway by the sealing element when the sealing element ismoved to the sealing position, and are selectively opened or in fluidcommunication with the vacuum passageway when the sealing element ismoved to the venting position.

Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 4-10, the vacuum cup assembly mayinclude a venturi silencer device or noise reducing device 210, whichmay be located at a discharge end 128 a of venturi device or nozzle 128to reduce the noise generated by the venturi device during operation ofthe air supply and vacuum cup assembly. The silencer 210 includes acasing or housing 212 that is mounted or attached to the body 120 of thevacuum device and that defines a cavity or chamber 214 at the dischargeend of the venturi device. The housing includes a conical shaped airdiverter 216 protruding from an outer end portion 212 a of housing 212and generally toward the discharge end of the venturi device, andincludes a plurality of outlet holes or discharge holes 218 radiallyspaced around the housing 212.

As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the housing 212 has an outer endportion 212 a and a cylindrical wall or portion 212 b. Cylindrical wallor portion 212 b cooperates with the outer end portion 212 a of housing212 to define the cavity 214 through which air flows from the dischargeend of the venturi device and out through the holes 218. The conicaldiverter 216 protrudes from the end portion 212 a and toward thedischarge end of the venturi device when the silencer is attached to thebody 120. The housing 212 preferably has generally smooth transitioncurves or radii of curvature at the transition regions or junction 212 cbetween the outer end portion 212 a and the cylindrical wall or portion212 b, and preferably has generally smooth transition curves or radii ofcurvature at the transition regions or junction 212 d between theconical diverter 216 and the outer end portion 212 a. The smooth radiiof curvatures at the transition regions 212 c, 212 d provide asubstantially smooth transition for the air flow as the air flows alongthe conical diverter 216 and as the air is diverted radially outwardtoward and through the smaller, radially spaced apart discharge holes218. Thus, the silencer device 210 reduces turbulence in the air flow toreduce the noise generated by the flow of air out of the venturi device.

Cylindrical wall or portion 212 b also functions to attach the silencerdevice 210 to the body of the vacuum device. In the illustratedembodiment of FIGS. 4-6, cylindrical portion 212 b of housing 212 isformed to receive a narrowed portion 120 a of the body 120 at thedischarge end 128 a of the venturi device 128. The housing 212 ofsilencer 210 may be press fit over the narrowed end portion 120 a, ormay be otherwise attached or secured to the body 120 of the vacuum cupassembly and generally at or near the discharge end of the venturidevice or nozzle.

The cavity or chamber 214, the conical-shaped diverter 216 and thecurved transitional regions 212 c, 212 d at the outer end portion 212 aof the silencer 210 function to reduce turbulence and absorb some of thenoise as the air flows from the discharge end 128 a of the venturi 128through the cavity 214 and out the discharge openings 218. The holes218, although relatively small, are preferably large enough to allowmost debris that may flow through the venturi to pass therethrough, sothat the holes limit or substantially preclude obstruction of the airflow through the silencer. Thus, the silencer device of the presentinvention may achieve reduced noise levels during operation of the airsupply and venturi device, while limiting obstruction of the air flowthrough the silencer device. The present invention thus provides anenhanced silencer over known or conventional types of silencers, whichtypically include a screen or filter element that is prone to cloggingor becoming at least partially obstructed by debris during use.

Therefore, the vacuum cup assembly of the present invention may beengaged with an object and a vacuum or partial vacuum may be created orgenerated within the vacuum cup to substantially seal the vacuum cup tothe object surface. The vacuum cup assembly, and the objectsubstantially sealed thereto, may then be moved to a desired location.When at the targeted destination, the vacuum source or air supply may bedeactivated to release or vent the vacuum within the assembly so as toreadily release the object from the vacuum cup assembly.

The vacuum cup assembly of the present invention thus utilizes a singleair line or hose or input and provides both vacuum or suction forsealing against and lifting panels or objects and venting for removal orblow off of panels or objects. The pressurized air enters the inlet orinput port and passes through the venturi nozzle to create at least apartial vacuum at the vacuum cup and within the vacuum passageway of thebody. During operation of the pressurized air supply, a small amount ofpressurized input air is diverted to an area or chamber at or above amovable or flexible sealing element, such as a diaphragm or a pistonelement. The diverted pressurized air pushes or urges the sealingelement downward or toward and against another sealing element (such asan outer portion of the body or a sealing ring or the like) tosubstantially seal or close the vacuum passageway (or otherwisesubstantially isolate the vacuum passageway from the atmosphere at thevacuum device), allowing the vacuum to be created in the vacuumpassageway and at the vacuum cup. Thus, when the diverted input air isproviding pressure above or outside of the first or movable sealingelement, the sealing element remains substantially sealed within thevacuum passageway, such that there is a vacuum generated at the vacuumpassageway at or below or inside of the sealing element (when the vacuumcup is engaged with an object).

When the venturi input air is reduced or shut off, the diverted inputair at the outer end or side of the sealing element is reduced oreliminated, thereby allowing the biasing element or spring to move orpush or urge the movable or flexible sealing element away from the othersealing element or ring or port to disengage the sealing elements and,thus, to vent the vacuum passageway to atmosphere. When the sealingelements are disengaged, the atmospheric pressure can rapidly enter thevacuum passageway and the vacuum cup, thereby relieving substantiallyall the vacuum within the vacuum cup and vacuum passageway and releasingor assisting in releasing the panel or object from the vacuum cup.Although shown and described as being implemented with a vacuum cup forsealing the vacuum cup relative to an object, the automatic releaseventuri device or vacuum device of the present invention may be suitablefor use in other material handling applications that may otherwisehandle objects or material by generating a vacuum when a pressurized airsupply is activated and automatically release or vent the vacuum whenthe pressurized air supply is deactivated, while remaining within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the auto-release venturi device or vacuum device of thepresent invention provides a vacuum or partial vacuum that may bereadily applied to a vacuum cup to substantially seal the vacuum cup toan object, and that may be readily and automatically vented toatmosphere to release the object from the vacuum cup. The sealing andventing device or assembly or element substantially seals the vacuumpassageway when the vacuum source is activated to allow the pneumaticdevice or pressurized air supply to generate or create a vacuum orpartial vacuum at the vacuum cup. The sealing and venting device isreadily and automatically disengaged when the pneumatic device isdeactivated to substantially vent the vacuum passageway to atmosphere torelease the object from the vacuum cup.

The movable sealing element or membrane or piston element of the ventingdevice may be engaged against a second sealing element or venting portor body or sealing ring or the like (which may be substantially fixed ornon-moving relative to the vacuum device body) in response to thediverted pressurized air provided to the movable sealing element at anopposite side of the sealing element from the vacuum passageway andvacuum device or venturi, such that the pressure differential at thesealing element causes the movable sealing element to substantially sealor close the vacuum passageway. When the pressurized air supply isreduced or deactivated and the diverted pressurized air is thus reducedor eliminated, the movable sealing element may disengage from the secondsealing element or body or sealing ring or otherwise move or flex toopen or vent the vacuum passageway to atmosphere, such as in response tothe biasing element. The vacuum at the vacuum passageway and vacuum cupthus may be readily vented to atmosphere to release the vacuum cup fromthe object at the desired or targeted destination or location.Preferably, the body of the vacuum device comprises a unitarily formeddevice, with the vacuum passageway, the venturi passageway, thediverting passageway, and the venting passageway formed or bored atleast partially therethrough, and with the sealing elements disposed ator within the body of the vacuum device, such that the vacuum devicecomprises an integral vacuum device with the sealing element anddiverting passageway incorporated or integrated at or in the body of thevacuum device.

Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. An automatic release vacuum device for a material handling system,the automatic release vacuum device comprising: a unitary body adaptedto connect to a pressurized air supply, the unitary body including avacuum passageway and a venting element, the vacuum passageway operableto vent to atmosphere through the venting element; a vacuum generatingdevice housed in the unitary body; a piston element housed in theunitary body, the piston element disposed along an axis in the unitarybody, and being movable along the axis between a sealing positionclosing off the vacuum passageway to atmosphere and a venting positionopening the vacuum passageway to atmosphere; and when the piston elementis in the sealing position and when the pressurized air supply isactivated to supply pressurized air to the vacuum generating device atleast a partial vacuum is generated in the vacuum passageway.
 2. Theautomatic release vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the vacuumgenerating device is a venturi nozzle.
 3. The automatic release vacuumdevice of claim 2, wherein air moves from the vacuum passageway into theventuri nozzle via at least one vacuum port of the venturi nozzle togenerate the at least a partial vacuum when the piston element is in thesealing position and pressurized air is supplied to the venturi nozzle.4. The automatic release vacuum device of claim 1, further comprising asealing ring housed in the unitary body, and wherein the piston elementengages the sealing ring when the piston element is in the sealingposition.
 5. The automatic release vacuum device of claim 1, furthercomprising a biasing element housed in the unitary body, wherein thebiasing element biases the piston element toward the venting position.6. The automatic release vacuum device of claim 1, further comprising avacuum cup configured to engage an object, the vacuum cup configured tosubstantially seal against the object when the pressurized air issupplied to the vacuum generating device and the piston element is inthe sealing position.
 7. A vacuum cup assembly of a material handlingsystem, the vacuum cup assembly comprising: a vacuum device body adaptedto connect to a pressurized air supply, the vacuum device body includinga venting element; a venturi nozzle housed in the vacuum device body,; apiston element housed in the vacuum device body, the piston elementbeing moveable along an axis between a sealing position and a ventingposition; a biasing element housed in the vacuum device body, thebiasing element biasing the piston element toward the venting position;a vacuum cup in fluid communication with the vacuum device body, thevacuum cup configured to engage an object; and when the pressurized airsupply is activated, the pressurized air moves the piston element to thesealing position closing fluid communication between the vacuum cup andthe venting element and the venturi nozzle generates a vacuum so thatthe vacuum cup substantially seals against the object, and when thepiston element is in the venting position opening fluid communicationbetween the vacuum cup and the venting element and the venting elementis operable to substantially vent the vacuum, the vacuum cup candisengage from the object.
 8. The automatic release vacuum device ofclaim 7, further comprising a sealing ring housed in the vacuum devicebody, and wherein the piston element engages the sealing ring when thepiston element is in the sealing position.
 9. The automatic releasevacuum device of claim 7, wherein the vacuum device body is a unitarybody.
 10. An automatic release vacuum device for a material handlingsystem, the automatic release vacuum device comprising: a unitary bodyadapted to connect to a pressurized air supply, the unitary bodyincluding a vacuum passageway; a piston element disposed in the unitarybody, the piston element disposed along an axis and movable in a firstdirection and a second direction and when the pressurized air supply isactivated the pressurized air urges the piston element in the firstdirection toward a sealing position blocking entry of ambient air fromatmosphere into the vacuum passageway; a venturi nozzle disposed in theunitary body, the venturi nozzle generating at least a partial vacuum inthe vacuum passageway when the pressurized air is activated and when thepiston element is in the sealing position; and a biasing elementdisposed in the unitary body, the biasing element biasing the pistonelement in the second direction and when the pressurized air supply isdeactivated the biasing element biases the piston element in the seconddirection toward a venting position allowing entry of ambient air fromatmosphere into the vacuum passageway and when the piston element is inthe venting position the at least partial vacuum is destroyed.
 11. Theautomatic release vacuum device of claim 10, wherein air moves from thevacuum passageway into the venturi nozzle via at least one vacuum portof the venturi nozzle to generate the at least a partial vacuum whenpressurized air is supplied to the venturi nozzle and when the pistonelement is in the sealing position.
 12. The automatic release vacuumdevice of claim 10, further comprising a venting element, the vacuumpassageway being operable to vent to atmosphere through the ventingelement when the piston element is in the venting position.
 13. Theautomatic release vacuum device of claim 10, further comprising asealing ring disposed in the unitary body, and wherein the pistonelement engages the sealing ring when the piston element is in thesealing position.
 14. The automatic release vacuum device of claim 10,further comprising a vacuum cup configured to engage an object, thevacuum cup adapted to substantially seal against the object when thepressurized air is supplied to the vacuum generating device and when thepiston element is in the sealing position.
 15. An automatic releasevacuum device for a material handling system, the automatic releasevacuum device comprising: a unitary body adapted to connect to apressurized air supply; a piston element housed within the unitary body,the piston element being movable in the unitary body between a sealingposition prohibiting entry of venting air from atmosphere and a ventingposition allowing entry of venting air from atmosphere; a venturi nozzlehoused in the unitary body, the venturi nozzle adapted to receive airfrom the pressurized air supply when the pressurized air supply isactivated; and when the pressurized air supply is activated, thepressurized air moves the piston element to the sealing position and theventuri nozzle generates a vacuum in the unitary body and when thepiston element is in the venting position, the vacuum is destroyed. 16.The automatic release vacuum device of claim 15, wherein air moves intothe venturi nozzle via at least one vacuum port of the venturi nozzle togenerate the vacuum when pressurized air is supplied to the venturinozzle and when the piston element is in the sealing.
 17. The automaticrelease vacuum device of claim 15, wherein the unitary body furthercomprises a venting element, and when the piston element is in theventing position, the venting element is operable to vent the unitarybody to atmosphere.
 18. The automatic release vacuum device of claim 15,further comprising a sealing ring housed in the unitary body, andwherein the piston element engages the sealing ring when the pistonelement is in the sealing position.
 19. The automatic release vacuumdevice of claim 15, further comprising a biasing element housed withinthe unitary body, the biasing element biasing the piston element towardthe venting position.
 20. The automatic release vacuum device of claim15, further comprising a vacuum cup configured to engage an object, thevacuum cup configured to substantially seal against the object when thepressurized air is supplied to the venture nozzle and when the pistonelement is in the sealing position.
 21. An automatic release vacuumdevice for a material handling system, the automatic release vacuumdevice comprising: a unitary vacuum device body comprising an inlet portadapted to connect to a pressurized air supply; the unitary vacuumdevice body further comprising a first passageway, a vacuum passageway,and a venting element, the venting element adapted to be in fluidcommunication with both the vacuum passageway and atmosphere; a pistonelement housed within the unitary vacuum device body, the piston elementmovable between a sealing position wherein the piston element obstructsfluid communication between the vacuum passageway and the ventingelement and a venting position wherein the piston element does notobstruct fluid communication between the vacuum passageway and theventing element; a biasing element housed within the unitary vacuumdevice body, the biasing element biasing the piston element toward theventing position; a venturi nozzle disposed within the first passageway,the venturi nozzle adapted to receive air from the pressurized airsupply when the pressurized air supply is activated; and when thepressurized air supply is activated, the pressurized air moves thepiston element to the sealing position and the venturi nozzle generatesa vacuum in the vacuum passageway and when the piston element is in theventing position, the vacuum is vented to atmosphere.